Addictive Synth vs Agonizer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Addictive Synth
Create unique sounds and driving loops with a powerful wavetable synthesizer. Explore a vast sonic universe with dynamic oscillators, spectral noise generation, and intelligent randomizers. Play live with an onscreen keyboard or connect a MIDI controller.
- Dynamic wavetable synthesis
- Spectral noise generator
- Intelligent randomizer for sounds and arpeggios
- Onscreen keyboard with live playing capabilities
- MIDI keyboard compatibility
- Programmable arpeggiator
- Audiobus and Inter-app audio support
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It was never so easy to create beautiful sounds and driving loops. The unique dynamic wavetable synthesis allows you to explore an unprecedented wide range of sonic territory. From acid loops, crystal clear percussions, realistic human choirs to complex musical soundscapes nothing seems impossible with only a handful parameters to tweak. The new spectral noise generator adds a new dimension to the already huge sound universe of Addictive Synth. This generator is the first of its kind and allows for extraordinarily detailed control over the dynamic spectrum of the noisy part of sounds. Despite its complexity it's pretty easy to use and integrates naturally into the sound design philosophy of Addictive Synth. Together with the intelligent randomizer for both sounds and arpeggios you will loose any sense of time and space while exploring unknown sonic territories. Right from the beginning you'll understand why it's named Addictive. ***Best iPad Apps of the Week*** AppAdvice.com "Addictive Synth fixes your craving for a massively customizable synthesizer experience on the iPad." - AppAdvice.com "App Of The Week" at iDesignSound.com Features: Dynamic wavetable synthesizer • Six dynamic wavetable oscillators per voice, up to 48 total. • Continuous morphing between two oscillator sets. • Realtime editing of up to 128 partials (overtones). • Realtime editing of filter structure to create arbitrary body resonances. • Extensive modulation possibilities using up to 4 LFOs and 4 Envelopes. • Control matrix allows real time control of five parameters using the X/Y touch pad, the modulation wheel and the tilt sensors of the iPad. • Monophonic or polyphonic with 8 voices. • 128 factory presets, unlimited user presets can be shared. • Up to three effects concurrently usable selected from: equalizer, phaser, flanger, chorus and stereo/cross delay. Live • Play melodies live with the onscreen keyboard. Drag fingers for slides and vibrato. • With the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit you can use a CoreMIDI compatible MIDI Keyboard to control Addictive Synth. • Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer compatible. • Velocity sensitive keyboard. • Select from dozens of scales and play them with scale optimized keyboard layout. Full featured programmable Arpeggiator • Uses programmable sequences with up to 32 steps. • Can trigger single notes and chords. • Unique randomizer generates Arpeggios with 100% usability. • 32 Arpeggios included, unlimited useer arpeggios possible. • For each step you can program tie, accent, transposition and note order Global • Audiobus 2 compatible (Output) (requires iOS7 or newer). • Inter-app audio compatible (Instrument/Generator) • Export loops as audio and midi files. • Audio pasteboard for exchange with other Apps • Exchange user presets with File Sharing in iTunes.
Agonizer
This app is a monophonic synthesizer focused on bass sounds, developed with a synth bass expert. It features dual wavetable oscillators, a mangle section, and built-in stereo effects. It supports MPE controllers and various audio/MIDI connectivity options for standalone or app-to-app use.
- Monophonic synth engine for bass
- Dual wavetable oscillators
- Built-in stereo effects
- MPE controller support
- Standalone and AUv3 operation
- 140+ factory presets
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Agonizer is a monophonic synthesizer designed in collaboration with YouTuber and synth bass expert Jakob Haq of haQ attaQ Overview: * Monophonic Synth Engine with focus on Bass * Built-in stereo effects * 140+ fine tuned factory presets designed by Jakob Haq * Supports ROLI Seaboard and other MPE controllers out of the box * Standalone operation with support for USB audio interfaces, wired, network & bluetooth MIDI * Audio Unit v3 Extension * Inter App Audio support * Audiobus support * Ableton Link Synth Voice: * Dual Wavetable Oscillators with 40+ Wavetables, Morphing & X-Mod * Dedicated sub osc & noise source * Mangle Section with pre-filter Drive, Bitcrush, Lift and Push controls * VA Ladder filter * Wobulator (Highly tweak-able Sequenced LFO) * LFO with Key and BPM Sync * Variable Slope AD & ADSR Envelopes * Tube based master drive Effects: * 2x stereo effect units * Vintage Chorus * Digital Delay Presets: * Factory bank including 140+ presets designed by Jakob Haq * Preset Management with Templates & Categories * Shared User Presets between Standalone and AUv3 versions * Preset Export & Import Connectivity: * Standalone * AUv3 Instrument * Inter-App Audio Instrument * Audiobus Instrument Requirements: * iOS12+ * iPad Air 2 or newer
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Addictive Synth at $6.99 against Agonizer's $19.99. Addictive Synth also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 11.0). Agonizer's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (203 vs 15). On review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Addictive Synth costs $6.99 and Agonizer $19.99 up front. Agonizer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Addictive Synth asks for nothing beyond the download.
Agonizer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Agonizer has 203 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 78% and 79% positive.
Addictive Synth ships an update every 4 months, Agonizer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Addictive Synth | Agonizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (15 ratings) | 4.8 (203 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.1% of reviews | 78.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 15 | 203 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 47 MB | 362 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harry Gohs | Kai Aras |
Customer experience
Addictive Synth
Agonizer
User reviews
Addictive Synth
From 15 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Unique additive synthesis sound palette
- 🎛️ Intuitive and clean interface design
- 🎲 Randomizer/dice feature for creative exploration
- 🎹 Excellent arpeggiator with extensive customization
- ✏️ Ability to draw custom waveforms and filters
Room to improve
- 🔊 Harsh, metallic, or shrill sound character
- 🐛 Crashes on certain iOS versions
- ⏱️ Tempo drift and synchronization issues
- 🎹 Small, difficult-to-use on-screen controls
- 📡 Poor MIDI latency and responsiveness
Agonizer
From 203 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🎵 Excellent sound quality and unique bass tones
- 🎨 Intuitive and well-designed user interface
- ⚙️ Powerful modulation and sound design capabilities
- 🎛️ Wobulator feature for creative bass manipulation
- 📦 Great presets included with the app
Room to improve
- 🐛 Keyboard legato/mono-synth behavior inconsistent
- 🐛 Frequent crashes in host applications (AUM, Cubasis, Audiobus)
- 🐛 No sound output in GarageBand and some AU hosts
- 🐛 App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
- 🐛 UI responsiveness issues and knob lag
Bugs and requests
Addictive Synth
Reported bugs
13 issues- App crashes upon opening on iOS 15.1
- Static/audio glitches on startup
- Keyboard width inconsistency across pages
- Stuck notes with external MIDI controllers
- Audio playback at 2x speed when pasting from certain apps
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- Backing track audio silences when switching apps
- Recording menu doesn't allow selection of new recordings
- Monophonic playback over virtual MIDI with chords
- Keyboard lag behind keystrokes
- Oscillator phase inconsistency
- Fundamental sine wave audible even when all harmonics disabled
- Flaky sequence saving functionality
- App crashes during audio recording/export
Requested features
19 requests- MIDI learn functionality
- Audiobus and IAA sync support
- MIDI clock/start/stop synchronization
- Ableton Link integration
- White/pink noise generator
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- Better patch/preset organization and banking
- Undo button for waveform/filter drawing
- WiFi and email export options
- Improved recording with flexible bar counts
- Drawable modulation signals
- Traditional filter types (LPF, HPF, BPF)
- MIDI volume control (CC7)
- Metronome on/off toggle
- Better visualization of harmonics/partials
- Evenly spaced harmonic controls
- Click track during looping
- Tempo saving with presets
- More modulation options and FM synthesis
- Hardware synth versions
Agonizer
Reported bugs
16 issues- Keyboard does not properly handle legato/mono-synth note priority
- Crashes in Audiobus, AUM, and Cubasis host applications
- No sound output when used as AUv3 plugin in hosts
- No sound in GarageBand integration
- App freezes on splash screen with iOS 18.3
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Stuck notes and failed note triggering
- Scream button malfunction when switching presets
- Cutoff knob lag in AUv3 scenarios
- UI jitter and text cutoff on iPhone
- Favorite preset feature not working on iPhone
- Program change not working properly in hosts
- Always opens with init preset in host applications
- Modulation matrix sensitivity too high (2% movement = large range)
- Audio output peaks in red with no sound
- Permanent clipping/damaged audio output
- Misleading IAP pricing display (showing 'FREE' for paid content)
Requested features
10 requests- Polyphony mode or toggle between mono and poly
- Envelope drawing capability instead of preset selection
- Menu-based waveform selection instead of cycling
- Arpeggiator function
- Preset browser search and favorites filter
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Extended automation control for all knobs
- Keytracking for filter
- Reverb effect
- Accelerometer/gyroscopic velocity sensitivity
- Customizable number of keyboard keys
In-app purchases
Addictive Synth
No in-app purchases
Agonizer
- Chrome Oasis Pack$3.99
- Circuit Bender Pack$3.99
- Neon Nightmare Pack$4.99
Questions
Is Addictive Synth free?
Is Agonizer free?
Which has better reviews, Addictive Synth or Agonizer?
Do Addictive Synth or Agonizer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Addictive Synth or Agonizer?
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